Telegraph Wine Bar

2601 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Last night the fiance took me to Telegraph Wine Bar for my birthday dinner. Telegraph comes to us from the people who brought us Webster's Wine Bar (one of our favorite little spots). It's been on my list for a while and it certainly lived up to my excitement. Industrial, rustic atmosphere with an abundance of candlelight, a smaller seasonal menu with quality ingredients and a carefully chosen wine list. Great food and wine and some quality time with this guy. Perfect way to celebrate my 27th!

happy birthday to me!

When I was growing up my mom used to put my gifts on the floor next to my bed before I woke up on my birthday. This morning I woke up to a floor with gifts from my sweet fiance. I'm one lucky girl.

Luxe home gift guide - under $30

1. Voluspa Candle - $27
2. Coasters at Furbish - $18
3. Mirrored Frame at West Elm - $15
4. Owl Mug at West Elm - $10
5. Favorite Throw at West Elm - $19
6. Illume Gold Balsam & Cedar Candle - $25
7. Feather Tray at Jayson Home & Garden - $25
8. Faux Fur Pillow at Restoration Hardware - $24
9. AM/FM MP3 Sound Station at Restoration Hardware - $29

Weekend Roundup - Pump Room & Dose Market

{Some sparkle for a night out with the girls}

{Pump Room}

{Rosemary infused grapefruit cocktail. Delish}

{The Dose Market at River East Art Center for some holiday shopping and eating}

Wedding Wednesday: Engagement Shoot

I'm so excited to share with you a few of my fave shots from our engagement session with the ever so talented Matthew Morrison. Matt's a friend of ours who spent the day with us running around Chicago to some of our favorite spots. We are so thrilled with the outcome.

Another piece of exciting news... we've decided on a date! September 15, 2012. Always wanted a fall wedding.

What are you thankful for?

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. The most wonderful day of the year. My love of this most perfect holiday has got me all giddy this morning! A holiday based on eating, spending time with family and counting your blessings. What could be better?

Each year I'm responsible for the pumpkin pie. I also do a little homemade whipped cream (too easy not to do yourself).


This year I'm thankful for so many things. Of course, the obvious good health & my career. But this year I got engaged to a wonderful person. I am so very thankful for him. I am also thankful for all of the loving, supportive family and friends that we have in our lives. I can not wait to get to my parents house tomorrow, make pumpkin pancakes (another tradition) and catch up with my baby brother. I will be spending part of the day with my new family-to-be. Truth be told, they already feel like family, which I am ever so thankful for.

What are you thankful for this holiday?

*images via pinterest

a birthday wish list

It has recently occurred to me that in three weeks I will be one more year older and wiser. So, I've decided to put together a little birthday wish list...

This sequined piece of gorgeousness from Anthropologie

The Perfectly Imperfect Home at Amazon

Camel leather gloves - these are from J. Crew

Anything from Keihls, but this scrub is looking mighty good for the upcoming winter months

Faux Sheepskin rug (to throw over a chair) from Ikea - only $29!

J. Crew Booker booties

J. Crew Snood

West Elm mirrored frame

{Fall} Weekend Roundup

A new iPhone case

One last trip to the lake house for some quality time with good friends

The start of a root vegetable soup perfect for those chilly fall nights

Hope you all had a lovely weekend. Can you believe Thanksgiving is next week!? It's my absolute favorite holiday so I will be sure to have something special prepared for the blog world...

I need a vintage Turkish rug in my life

I seriously need one of these in my life. Preferably one that does not set me back $2,000. Any suggestions??

The one and only Jenna Lyons entry

Jayson Home and Garden

This photo has been sitting in my inspiration file forever. I love everything about it.

Current Obsession: Feathers

So, I apologize for being absent from the blogosphere lately. I really don't have a great excuse other than I haven't been feeling particularly inspired. BUT this past weekend I did start a love affair with feathers. I couldn't quite get into the whole bird decor craze, but feathers when done right, have a gorgeous texture that I'm currently loving. I took a trip to my local West Elm {typical weekend activity} and found some amazing feathered out holiday decor. I ended up purchasing a feather wreath and a big feather ornament. I guess you can say I was getting in the Christmas spirit!

West Elm

How amazing is this dress??

And these shoes from bhldn

A J. Crew sale & Engagement Photos

J. Crew, you got me again. Last night, in honor of Chicago Fashion Week, Chicago Magazine and J. Crew threw a little get-together. There were cupcakes, giveaways (an adorable bangle) and ridiculous discounts. I snagged the leather jacket above for a teeny tiny fraction of the original cost. For this reason, and the fact that I will be taking my engagement photos (outdoors) next week, I had to have it. So, thanks J. Crew for styling me for my engagement photos. I'm going for a casual, fall, Chicago look. The rustic photo above is a space at Salvage One and a must for our photo shoot. I also love the photo of the couple {I said yes} for save the dates. I'll be sure to share the finished products with all of you! Also, I've noticed that my posts have been few and far between lately... they have also taken on a wedding theme. I'll be sure to work on that.

Cara & Nathan Tie the Knot in Napa

As you can probably tell, Cara is one of my dearest friends and I could not be happier for her and her new husband, Nathan. This past weekend we celebrated their wedding in wine country and I just couldn't wait to share the lovely event with all of you!

After our flight in we pretty much went straight to Gott's for Ahi tuna burgers, sweet potato fries and pumpkin shakes (what bridesmaids dress??)

{The happy couple at their welcome reception at Domaine Carneros}

Love the vineyard dogs

{Duckhorn}

{Paradigm}

{Bob enjoying the lovely weather and a glass of vino}

{Signorello}

{Bridesmaids bouquets}

{The bride's first glance at her bouquet}

{The dress}

{The bride just before she put her dress on}

{The maids of honor, sisters, Regan and Ally}

{Reception in the Wine Cave at Calistoga Ranch}

{Mother of the bride}

{Father of the bride}

{Smooch!}